ASHLAND UNIVERSITY INTENSIVES, 2009

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO ASK SOMEONE WHO’S REALLY STUDIED IT WHAT THEY REALLY KNOW?

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO HAVE LONG DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IDEAS AND THOUGHTS?

HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT A PROVOCATIVE TOPIC?

TRY THIS SUMMER HONORS INSTITUTE.

NO KIDDING. 

YOU WILL BE IN A CLASS OF 10 OR FEWER WITH A REAL PROFESSOR.

(YOU MIGHT NEVER GET THIS CHANCE AGAIN.)  

CHECK IT OUT:  REAL PROFESSORS IN 18 REAL INTENSE SEMINARS

AT A REAL PRIVATE LIBERAL ARTS UNIVERSITY.  

STAY IN REAL COLLEGE DORMS.

EAT THE BEST COLLEGE FOOD IN THE NATION!  

CHOOSE ONE INTENSIVE. (a week)

STUDY SOMETHING YOU LOVE, IN REAL DEPTH

Art THREE PAINTS, THREE STYLES CHARLES CALDEMEYER, MFA How does the process of painting differ when using different painting media?  We will explore and compare styles and techniques in oils, encaustics, and watercolors.  A brief history of each medium, and the cultural context of its development, will accompany our sessions.  An introduction to drawing and color theory will help students in the process of laying out their paintings and mixing their paints.  Students should have taken some art already.	Philosophy THE PURSUIT OF WISDOM DR. JEFFREY TIEL  What are the best things in life?  How have different ideas about what is best affected everyday life? What impact have science, God, beauty, truth, and power made on our understanding of the best human life?  This week we will employ the Socratic method to examine several monumental ideas, which fundamentally changed how we understand what is best for humans. The professor is former Director of Ashland University Honors Program.
Microbiology BACTERIA, GENES AND ANTIBIOTICS  DR. ANDREW GREENE The bacteria are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet. How do microbiologists grow bacteria in the laboratory? How do the FDA and EPA test our food and water? How do antibiotics help us fight infections, and why are so many physicians worried about the misuse of antibiotics? What is a gene? Why do bacterial cultures smell so bad? If you find these questions interesting, then this is the class for you! In this intensive we will explore the basic principles of microbiology, with a focus on the microscopic living organisms that are a critical, but invisible part of our daily lives.	Physics STRING THEORY. DR. RODNEY MICHAEL.  Physicists explain the modern world with two disparate theories. One is Quantum Mechanics, which describes the world of the very small. The other is General Relativity, which describes the world of the large. When both theories need to be applied they give nonsense for results. In an effort to reconcile these two vastly different views physicists are working on a new theory of the universe, String Theory. This course will look at the ideas of string theory with special emphasis on the world’s newest and largest machine for looking into the sub-atomic world,the New Large Hadron Collider which hopes to find out if String Theory is on track to become the ultimate “Theory of Everything.”
Creative Writing: Poetry  WRITE YOUR HEART OUT!  JAMES TIPTON, MA Through both the study of poems by others and the creation of our own poems, we will attempt to reconnect with secret (and sacred) parts of ourselves—parts that normally get lost in the process of “growing up.” Using poetry as our “guide” we will try to discover what is most meaningful in our lives, and to discover how to connect more deeply to ourselves, to other people, and to the earth itself. We will examine what language is, how animal sounds and human language are related, what poetry does; and we will write…lots of exercises and lots of poems. Although class members may work on longer poems, we will focus on short poems of 3-7 lines. Everyone is welcome. No previous experience necessary!	Psychology THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE SELF DR. MICHAEL PIECHOWSKI  Socratic “Know thyself” is as valid today as it was in ancient times. Are you in charge of your will? Can you slow down your mind when you want to? Through guided exercises this course will help you to relax, develop concentration and clear decisionmaking, strengthen your will, examine different facets of your personality, develop your sense of purpose and awareness of your true self.  We will read a book written by the professor, Mellow Out, They Say. You will discover strengths and inner beauty you didn’t know you had.
Film Studies PREACHING PEACE OR PROPAGANDA? ANTI-WAR THEMES  THROUGH FILM RIC GOODWIN, MFA Students will explore, discuss, and learn how screenwriters and film makers use the medium of film dialogue, cinematography techniques, characters, and plot to influence audiences.  This class will specifically look at films with anti-war themes. With the ongoing war in Iraq and the war against terror, once again anti-war sentiment is beginning to emerge in our country. This class will examine, through film and historical perspectives, both popular and “unpopular” wars ranging from the frontier wars with the Indians to Vietnam.	Religious Studies EXPLORING AND ENCOUNTERING WORLD RELIGIOUS  TRADITIONS DR. DAVID AUNE In this intensive, participants will not only study a number of different world religions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Eastern Orthodoxy) but also visit selected religious sites and interview representatives from these various traditions. Throughout the week, participants will be encouraged to reflect upon their own spiritual journey, especially as it is informed by their encounters with these other religious traditions.
Mathematics GAMES MATHEMATICIANS PLAY: DISCRETE MATHEMATICS DR. CHRISTOPHER SWANSON A game consists of four piles of stones – one with 1 stone, one with 3 stones, one with 5 stones, and one with 7 stones.  Players alternate turns by removing any number of stones from any one pile.  The player who selects the last stone available wins the game.  In playing this game, is it better to be the first or second player who removes stones?  This is one of many games we will play, study, and analyze using discrete mathematics.

Chemistry GETTING THE LEAD OUT DR. JEFFREY WEIDENHAMER In the recent news, the lead content of common toys and jewelry has made headlines. One of the researchers to "blew the whistle" on this will be the professor of this class. We will do basic chemical analysis of  children's jewelry and paint to determine how much lead is in these products, and you will get to run the instrumentation used for this analysis.  We will talk about why the lead is in these products, what the dangers of lead are, and learn about other hazardous heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury.	Psychology THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY DR. DIANE MONTGOMERY    What does a psychologist study? How are we alike in our uniqueness? What does creative expression say about you? What do your memories say about our lived experiences in a social world? We will be studying psychology and the messages that are brought from the inside out as we express ourselves. The analysis and study of our own activity brings us new knowledge in this area. Writing memories, sketching ideas, and molding clay reveal inner thoughts and social influences.
Classics ANCIENT WEAPONRY AND WAR DR. JOHN LEWIS Standing in a battle line, their shields locked and their spears at ready, the Greeks and the Romans fought. This class will take us into the world of ancient warfare: why they went to war, how they fought, and the honor they claimed from victory. We will consider the broad abstract reasons for war, but also the blood and guts action on the ground. We will ask how the Greeks found a sense of comradeship in slaughter, and how the Romans created a professional army. We will learn about the battle of Thermopylae, when a handful of Greeks held off a half a million Persians for three days.	Songwriting SONGWRITING FROM THE EDGE:  F. CHRISTOPHER REYNOLDS, M.Ed. Using the traditional idea that music is medicine, this intensive teaches how to create a space where original self-expression is developed. The instructor presents the knowledge and skills he’s learned in his music career.  These include: creative writing, recording, publishing, performance, using the internet, and booking.  You do not need to know how to read music, but you do have to prove a history of songwriting, poetry writing, and/or ability to play guitar, piano, drums or bass. Demo CD or tape required.  Enrollment limited to 7 students.
Creative Writing WRITING THE STORIES OF LIFE DR. MICHAEL OLIN-HITT Stories are how we learn about life.  We will learn the basic pattern of "story" or the art of  story telling.  In order to learn the craft of the short story, we will read and discuss contemporary short stories by  some of our country’s best writers.  In this environment  of learning, the students will write their own stories, either fiction or nonfiction, and  refine them in a "workshop" environment in which students and the  teacher share and provide guidance to improve the stories. We will publish an anthology. Writers welcome.	Spanish SOUTH OF THE BORDER -DESTINATION MÉXICO A SPANISH IMMERSION WEEK  DR. JENNIFER RATHBUN Explore Mexican culture, traditions, history & literature through language with an expert in the field. We will analyze film, short stories, poetry and more while always developing strategies for comprehension, analysis and language development. This intensive is reserved for those students with previous Spanish language study (2 years highly recommended). The immersion experience will sharpen and enhance Spanish language skills while studying México. ¡Bienvenidos!
Creativity Studies PUZZLES AND CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING DR. DONALD SLOAN  You saw him on Jeopardy.  Now this professor of music will take students through the problem-solving process and through many difficult and challenging puzzles and logic problems.  Problems will be sent to students before the Institute, as many require a lot of time to solve.  Not every problem has a "standard" solution!  Through use of puzzles, brain teasers, etc., the class will focus on finding unusual and creative approaches to problem solving.	Theater THEATER: BARD TO THE BONE JEREMY DUBIN, MFA Immerse yourself in the often bloody, occasionally bawdy, and always exquisite language of the world’s greatest playwright: William Shakespeare.  Deepen your understanding of the works of the Bard by helping bring them to life.  Students will receive instruction in performance technique, character development, stage combat, text analysis, theatre games and more, all while rehearsing, then performing selected scenes from the Shakespearian canon.  The instructor is with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.  Audition tape required (a Shakespeare piece of your choosing, no more than one minute in length).
	Toxicology THE SCIENCE OF POISONS  DR. KAREN STINE  Have you ever wondered why prescription drugs have "side effects" along with the effect the drug is supposed to produce? Or how exposure to air pollutants affects people's health? Does everything really does cause cancer? Why does poison ivy make you itch? How does snake venom work? The answers to these and many other questions are found in an area of science called toxicology, the science of poisons. In this class we will explore the basic principles of toxicology as well as the laboratory techniques that toxicologists use to study the effects of toxicants (poison s) on living organisms.

ADMINISTRATION OF SUMMER INSTITUTE:

Dr. Jane Piirto, Director of Ohio Summer Institute / Ashland University/ Ashland, OH 44805 / E-mail: jpiirto@ ashland.edu. PHONE: 419-289-5937.  Web page info: www.ashland..edu/~jpiirto Administrative assistant: Gay Vanderzyden. Gvanderz@ashland.edu

ROOM AND BOARD COST:

$347.00 for 6 nights, 7 days.  This includes room, board, and materials.  Residence is preferred.  Scholarships and partial scholarships are available.  If a scholarship is requested, the student’s parents or guardians should write a letter to the director, indicating the need.  Payment is due at arrival. Students may attend one or both weeks.

COMMUTER COST:

No tuition cost, except for deposit.  Commuters must pay for meals other than lunch, which is provided for all participants.

APPLICATION COST:

$5.00 deposit, for processing.  Make check to Ashland University.  Refunded to commuters; applied to resident board fee.

ADMISSION:

Students should complete the enclosed application form,. A district official must complete the back of the application form, confirming the student’s status. Audition tapes for theater and songwriting should be sent with the application. Students may register for both weeks. Students will be notified in late April, by mail, of admission. Students should confirm their intention to attend  by May 8, or their places will not be guaranteed.

BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES:

Students will be supervised at all times. Students must stay on campus except when on supervised field trips. Common courtesy should be observed. No alcohol, tobacco, or other substances, except for prescriptions from a family physician, will be permitted. No violence . No public displays of affection are permitted. Students who do not abide by the behavioral guidelines will be warned and their parents will be called with a request to come and remove the student from the Institute. No refunds will be given if a student is asked to leave.

TIME OF ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:

Students should arrive between 1:00 and 2:15 on July 12 or on July 26. Registration will take place in the dormitory. Orientation will be held in Schar College of Education Ronk Auditorium at 2:30.  Parents are expected to stay for a half hour orientation to meet the staff.  Parents should come to the final presentation to meet the faculty and to pick their students up at 10:30 a.m. July 18 or August 1.. There will be a picnic lunch on the patio as a farewell, at 12:00. Students must check out by 1:00 p.m. on July 18 or August 1.

Ashland University is a comprehensive private university with 2,100 undergraduate liberal arts students and 6,000 graduate students.  It is located in north central Ohio on I-71 between Cleveland and Columbus (mile marker 186).  Founded in 1878, the college is affiliated with the Brethren Church.  The campus contains 98 acres with 36 modern buildings, including a nine-story, 200,000 volume library, a performing arts theater and art gallery, a new student center, and lovely landscaping with many trees, flowered paths, and brick walls.  Medical facilities are nearby.  Use of the recreation facilities will be part of the daily routine.  Ashland, Ohio is a quiet, small Midwestern town, ideal for intensive study and learning.  The pastoral setting includes Amish buggies clip-clopping down the streets, and a historical district of beautiful old houses.

ASHLAND UNIVERSITY INTENSIVES 2009 STUDENT APPLICATION FORM

Application deadline :__April 10, 2009__Students will be notified of acceptance by

April 24,  2009      Students must return notification of intention to attend by May 8, 2009

Please return to Dr. Jane Piirto / Ashland University Intensives / 247 Schar College of Education /

 Ashland University, OH   44805

Phone: 419-289-5937.  Email: jpiirto@ashland.edu, or gvanderz@ashland.edu

Note: Open only to Ohio residents who are identified gifted and talented and are this year’s 9th & 10th graders.

GRADE NEXT YEAR_____________BIRTH DATE:_______________M___F___   t-shirt size (circle) S, M, L, XL, XXL

STUDENT NAME_____________________________________SOCIAL SECURITY #:_____________________   ADDRESS______________________________________________           

COUNTY OF RESIDENCE_____________________     

                  

 STREET OR P.O. BOX            CITY                            STATE            ZIP        EMAIL ADDRESS__________________

HOME PHONE (______)______-__________             SCHOOL PHONE (______)______-____________

SCHOOL NAME_________________________________DISTRICT NAME  __________________________               

SCHOOL ADDRESS_________________________________________                        Please Circle: Rural - Urban -  Suburban

                                   STREET OR P.O. BOX             CITY         STATE          ZIP            

ETHNICITY (Please Circle) African Am-   Asian Am-   Native Am-   European Am-   Hispanic Am   Other

How did you find out about the Institute? (Circle) School Counselor - Teacher- Mailing- Gifted Coordinator- Newspaper-Other (describe)_________________________ 

For ensemble info: What musical instrument do you play? ________     Do you sing?_______

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CHOICE OF SEMINAR: Put numbers 1 or 2 for 1st and 2nd choices. You may attend either or both Week One and Week Two.

Week One: July 12 to July 18, 2009

_____Art:Three Paints And Three Styles	_____ Creative Writing: Poetry. Writing Your Heart Out	_____Film Studies: Anti-War Films	_____Mathematics: Games Mathematicians Play”	_____Microbiology: Bacteria, Genes, and Antibiotics
____Physics:        String Theory	____Philosophy:       Pursuit of Wisdom?	____Psychology: Psychology of the Self	_____Religious Studies: Comparative Religion

 

Week Two: July 26-August 1, 2009

____Chemistry: Getting the Lead Out	_____Classics: Ancient Weaponry	_____Creativity Studies: Creative Problem Solving	______Creative Writing: Prose, Writing the Story of Your Life	______Psychology: The Art and Science of Psychology
_____Songwriting From the Edge	____Spanish: South of the Border, Spanish Immersion	______Theater: Bard to the Bone	_______Toxicology:      Science of Poisons

 

 

APPLICATION CHECKLIST: Your application will be returned to you for missing items if all of these are not checked and included.

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______1.  Please have an official from your school district fill out the enclosed form.

_____ 2.  Please submit a 500 (at least) word double-spaced typed personal essay on the topic, (1) “Intellectual Insights I Have Had” or   (2) “Why I Want  To  Study  In This Seminar”

______3. Please submit a letter from an adult in your school or community (not a relative) who knows you, recommending you for this intensive.

______4.  Please submit a copy of your grades for the last year, and of your most recent gifted qualification documents and test scores.

_____ 5.  Enclose a $5.00 deposit fee.  Check made payable to Ashland University

 

 

Note: Room and Board is $347.00($5.00 deposit+$342.00) for 7 days.  This is payable upon arrival. For scholarship assistance, parent or guardian should send a letter explaining your need  to Dr. Jane Piirto /Director of  Ohio Summer Honors Institute/ Ashland University/Ashland, OH 44805.  No charge, except for meals besides lunch, for commuters. The $5 application fee will be refunded upon arrival. 

 

Ashland University admits students with disabilities and those of any sex, race, age,  color, and national or ethnic origin.